Chemical and Nuclear Disasters

What to do in case of chemical or nuclear disaster.

Chemical

In most chemical spill situations the county emergency personnel will be on location and direct our community to either evacuate or stay in place. For chemical spill emergencies, it is best to avoid or limit exposure. Seek refuge inside and stay tuned to media, cell phone alerts, or local sheriffs for additional information.

Nuclear

Nuclear disaster or warfare are situations that are less likely to occur, however, it doesn’t hurt to know what you can do. According to www.ready.gov/nuclear-blast there are three factors for protecting oneself from radiation and fallout .

Distance – the more distance between you and the fallout particles, the better. An underground area such as a home or office building basement offers more protection than the first floor of a building.

Shielding – the heavier and denser the materials – thick walls, concrete, bricks, books and earth – between you and the fallout particles, the better.

Time – fallout radiation loses its intensity fairly rapidly. In time, you will be able to leave the fallout shelter. Radioactive fallout poses the greatest threat to people during the first two weeks, by which time it has declined to about 1 percent of its initial radiation level.

A local option is to check in with your neighborhood winery and see if they have a wine cave that could be used in a nuclear disaster.